The Most Beautiful Castles in Japan Worth Visiting

The first image of a Japanese castle for many is that of the "Howl's Moving Castle" due to Miyazaki's masterpiece, but those who have had the fortune to visit Japan will have seen many more real and equally fascinating ones.

The castles of Japan are among the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

They are grand, dramatic, and highly iconic, perfect testaments to the ancient local history. Throughout the country, there are hundreds of them, each with its own architecture, style, flower gardens, and history, all very different from the classic castle idea we are used to in Europe.

But what are some of the most characteristic castles in Japan?

Among the most imposing and visited castles in Japan is Himeji Castle located west of Kōbe, in Hyōgo Prefecture.

This elegant feudal fortress is also known as the White Heron Castle because its white towers resemble a heron in flight.

The complex consists of over 80 buildings that together form one of the best-preserved Japanese castles, among the first sites recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan and often used as a location for major international films.

The millions of visitors who come every year can admire its steep and narrow staircases, rocky slides, hidden spaces, and the imposing main keep, a six-story structure visible from almost any point in the city of Himeji.

In early April, people flock to the castle gardens to witness the spectacular cherry blossom season .

Matsumoto Castle, located in a mountainous region northwest of Tokyo, is considered one of the most original castles in Japan and has been designated as a national treasure.

Built in 1590 on a stone base surrounded by a wide moat, the castle is unusually positioned on flat ground rather than on a hill and features an imposing black multi-story structure made of reinforced concrete with steep and narrow wooden stairs, an observation bridge, various openings for attacking with arrows and stones, and a moat lined with cherry trees.

The main keep of the castle is the oldest in Japan and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Hijiri Kōgen mountains.

Thanks to repeated restoration efforts, Matsumoto Castle is one of the top three Japanese castles, along with Himeji Castle and Kumamoto Castle. It is also a popular cherry blossom viewing site.

Considered one of the three largest castles in Japan, the impressive Kumamoto Castle was originally built in 1607.

It is one of the largest castle complexes in Japan, featuring 800 cherry trees and many different buildings that are part of it.

Although heavily damaged over the years and by earthquakes, and still subject to restoration phases, the castle retains some original structures such as the Uto turret and overall has an unmatched charm, to the point that throughout the year it is often the scenic venue for major festivals and cultural events.

READ ALSO: ISLANDS OF JAPAN.

Located atop a hill in a large park in northern Japan, Hirosaki Castle is surrounded by over two thousand scenic cherry trees that bloom in April.

In this picturesque setting, the annual Snow Lantern Festival takes place, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors in February. The picturesque Hirosaki Castle, dating back to the 17th century, was burned down in 1627 after being struck by lightning and subsequently rebuilt in 1810 on a smaller scale.

Characterized by five original gates, fortified moats, and a highly recognizable three-story castle tower.

Hikone Castle is a national historic site located in Shiga Prefecture since 1622. Visiting it provides a comprehensive look at Japanese castles during their period of greatest splendor, as its original structure has survived to this day without ever needing reconstruction.

Legend has it that Emperor Meiji revoked its demolition order upon being struck by its beauty. It features gardens, gates, original guard houses, the main keep, interior moats, and structures and materials collected from other castles in the country.

The nearby Hikone Castle Museum exhibits treasures from the II dynasty, including armor and musical instruments.

Matsue Castle, the last standing in the San'in region on the southwestern coast of the mainland of Japan, has survived earthquakes, fires, and wars over its four hundred years of existence.

Built in 1611 in a defensive style on elevated ground, with well-preserved sturdy walls, moats, and a watchtower, Matsue Castle offers breathtaking views of Lake Shinji (a symbol of Matsue known for its spectacular sunsets), which is one of the reasons it is listed among Japan's Three Great Lake Castles.

Characterized by the dark tones of its keep, this impressive castle is also known as the "black castle" due to its ebony color. Here, you can visit the Hearn Memorial Museum, Hearn's residence, the samurai residence, beautiful landscaped gardens, or even take boat tours around its outer moat.

When it was built in 1580, Osaka Castle was the largest castle ever erected in Japan.

Designed to be the residence of the Japanese sovereigns, Osaka Castle and its park are now ideal viewing points for cherry blossoms and an iconic place in the city.

The white castle with its green tiles is surrounded by a moat and a large garden. Demolished many times since its original construction and always rebuilt, the version of the castle we see today is a concrete reproduction complete with elevators to reach the upper levels where an observation platform overlooks the city.

Don't miss the castle history museum, which includes three-dimensional images, holograms, and other advanced technologies in its exhibits.

Although destroyed by a devastating fire in October 2019, making it impossible to visit today, Shuri Castle must be included in the list of the most beautiful castles in Japan.

Its iconic image has often been used to promote tourism in Japan and is a global symbol of Okinawa and Ryukyu culture. UNESCO has added it to its list of World Heritage Sites.

Shuri Castle originated as the residence of the Ryukyu kings and was faithfully restored after suffering significant damage during World War II. Unfortunately, due to an unfortunate twist of fate, the castle once again faced the risk of destruction in 2019, and reconstruction efforts are currently underway to save as much of its structures as possible. In the meantime, parts of the castle park have reopened to the public.

The iconic Nagoya Castle stands in Japan's third-largest city located in Aichi Prefecture.

Built in the early Edo period, Nagoya Castle served as the residence of the Tokugawa family for over two hundred years and later as an official residence for the imperial family until 1930. Today, it is an important museum showcasing artifacts and relics from its centuries-long history.

The castle keep, rebuilt after the World War II fire, features five levels with two golden "Shachi-hoko" ornaments, a legendary creature with a tiger's head and a fish's body.

The main palace welcomes visitors with magnificent rooms featuring exquisite traditional craftsmanship, while in spring, its grounds become an ideal place to enjoy the cherry blossoms from hundreds of sakura trees in the garden.

Located in the heart of Kyoto, Nijo Castle is one of the historical monuments of the old city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Originally built by a powerful shogun, Nijo Castle contains the Ninomaru Palace, composed of six connected buildings, the only fortified palace complex that has survived in Japan.

Today, the fortress boasts extensive gardens and is one of the best-preserved castles in all of Japan, with intentionally creaking floors to warn residents of possible intruders.